Knitted non-run fabric and stocking



/qulldv 1 '.llrur Oct. 18, 1955 F. sTEvENsoN KNITTED NON-RUN FABRIC AND STOCKING 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 19, 1949 INVENTOR: Era/nigvcnspn) ATTORNEY Oct- 18, 1955 F. s'rEvENsoN KNITTED NON-RUN FABRIC AND STOCKING 5 Sheets--Shearl 4 Filed Feb. 19, 1949 ATTORNEY.

Oct. 18, 1955 F. sTEvENsoN 2,720,767

KNITTED NON-RUN FABRIC AND STOCKING Filed Feb. 19, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR United States Patent O pnl mm1) NoN-RUN Fannie AND srocKNG Frank Stevenson, West Lawn, Pa., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Howard Hosiery Miils, lne., Sinking Spring, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 19, 1949, Serial No. 77,374

16 Claims. (Cl. 66-173) This invention relates to the manfacture of knitted non-run fabrics and articles made therefrom, such as hosiery, and more particularly concerns certain improvements in this art appertaining to the subject matter of my two U. S. Patents Nos. 1,891,117 and 1,897,917, issued respectively, on December 13, 1932, and February 14, 1933.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel knitted non-ron fabric of the type utilized in the production of hosiery, or other articles of wearing apparel.

Another object is to provide such a non-run fabric having certain desirable quality and appearance characteristics not present in the similar prior art non-run fabrics.

Another object is to provide such a non-run fabric which embodies certain unique elongated lock loops.

A further object is to provide such a fabric in which said elongated lock loops are arranged so that both legs thereof extend coursewise along the rear of the fabric, from their needle Wale of origin -across the legs of the loops of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

Another object is to provide such a non-run fabric comprising coursewise extending elongated lock loops arranged to span at least three or more successive needle wales in the same course.

An additional object is to provide such a non-run fabric comprising courses which include plain loops and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop oatingly extend coursewise from their Wale of origin across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop.

It is also an object to provide such a non-run fabric comprising courses which include plain loops and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop extend laterally from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale and the bight portion of each lock loop is joined with the next lock loop of the course, by a plain needle loop of the succeeding course, at the needle Wale of origin of said next lock loop.

Another object is to provide such a non-run fabric comprising one or more plm'n loop courses arranged in intermediate relation With courses provided with plain loops and elongated lock loops, the lock loops being overlappingly joined in each course and arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric in such manner that both legs of each lock loop floatingly extend course- Wise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop.

Another feature of the invention resides in the production of the indicated non-run fabric improvements, by a new knitting method.

With these and other objects in view, which will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of my improvements illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the invention comprises the novel non-run fabrics and method of producing the same, as r.

more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

In the drawings:

FPice Figure l is an enlarged rear view of a section of a novel non-run hosiery fabric made in accordance with my invention, and shows one arrangement of the unique elongated lock loops or stitches thereof.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but of a modified form of non-run hosiery fabric made in accordance with my invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 are similar enlarged perspective views of the non-run hosiery fabric shown in Fig. 1, and illustrate certain knitting elements used in the production thereof, in the positions that they occupy when carrying out my new knitting process.

Figs. 5 and 6 are similar enlarged perspective views of the non-run hosiery fabric shown in Fig. 2, and illustrate certain knitting elements used in the production thereof, in the positions that they occupy when carrying out my new knitting process.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of a knitted fullfashioned non-run stocking made in accordance with my invention.

Various knitted non-run fabrics have heretofore been produced which are suitable for the manufacture of hosiery, such as ladies full-fashioned stockings, or other articles of wearing apparel. The production of such nonrun fabrics on straight or full-fashioned knitting machines is Well understood and involves the use of various knitting elements and mechanisms, all in accordance with the practice disclosed by the numerous prior art patents relating to this art.

The non-run fabric of my invention, can also be produced by utilizing such prior art knitting machine equipment and following the novel procedure taught by the description hereinafter set forth. One form of prior art knitting machine equipment which is suitable for practicing my present improvements, is disclosed in my said two Patents Nos. 1,891,117 and 1,897,917. These and other prior art patents, may consequently be referred to for further information concerning the details of the old and well-known means and method steps here involved, in conjunction with the novel phases of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, and first more particularly to Figs. l, 3 and 4, it will be noted that the sections of my novel knitted non-run fabric there shown, comprise lock stitch courses generally designated by the letter L, and plain stitch courses generally designated by the letter P, formed of a yarn Y.

Each of the plain stitch courses P are produced in usual manner by conventional stitch-forming elements of a straight or full-fashioned knitting machine, including standard spring-beard knitting needles indicated by the reference numeral i. The successively interconnected stitches 2 formed by the needles are commonly referred to as the needle Wales of the fabric, and the successively interconnected stitches 3 formed between the needle stitches or loops 2, are produced by the usual sinkers and dividers of the machine, and are commonly referred to as sinker wales.

The lock stitch courses L comprise plain needle stitches or loops 2, arranged in intermediate relation with special elongated lock stitches or loops 4 that are produced by shifting points 5, in accordance With a procedure hereinafter described.

The lock stitches 4 are arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric, i. e., in the successive lock stitch courses L, the lock stitches 4 are positioned so that they extend coursewise across, or span, three needle wales in one lock stitch course, and are positioned one needle distance to the right, or left, in the next succeeding lock stitch course, so that the needle Wales of the plain loop courses U, intermediate the lock stitch courses L, will each be in alignment with one or the other of the congered arrangement of the lock stitches or loops 4, is provided to prevent so-called runners from traveling down 'the fabric, beyond the YVlock 'stitches or loops 4, when rupture of the yarn occurs in one of the plain needle loops 2 of any of the needle wales. The staggered arrangement of theV lockstitches 4, throughout the fabric, astshown, followsl the usual practice carried out Vin the production of non-run fabrics. However, to my knowledge,` the elongated lock stitch 4, and its positional arrangement in the lock stitch course'L,Iis new and is consequently to be considered as forming part of my invention. f n

In the non-run fabric shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, each lockY loop 4, V,extends laterally from its needle Wale of origin, to the left and both legs of the lock loop 4 oatinglycross the legs of a plain'needle loop 2 of the next adjacent needle Wale, at the rear of the fabric.V The bight portion 4a of each lock loop 4 is joined with the nextV lock loop of the course, by the lower portion of a plain needle loop 2, ofthe succeeding plain loop course P knitted, at

the needle wale of origin of said next lock loop.

The non-run fabric shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, differs from that shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, in that each lock loop 4 is longer and in that Vtwo plain needle loops 2 are formed between the lock loops 4, so that both legs 4of the latter crossrthe legs of two plain needle loops 2, at the rear of the fabric, in each instance. Q

, The lock stitches 4, provided in the fabric sections of Figs. 1, 3 and' 4, are produced by utilizing the standard grooved shifting points generally indicated by the point bar is also moved upwardly at a much faster pace to their uppermost position, leaving Vthe bight portions 4 of the elongated loops 4 on the needles 1 under the sinkers of the machine. On the next downward movement of the needles the bight portions 4a are then engaged under the beards of the needles. This operation is followed by the knitting of a plain loop course, as carried out in usual manner by the machine. Y

The normal knitting of a plain stitch course P, as usual,

' will cause each end of every elongated lock stitch 4,` to be numeral 5, during the fabric knitting process. The shift- Y ing pointsS kcomprise a body 9 and a shank 10.` One sidewall and the back wall of the body 9, for the greater portion Vof the body of theV shifting point 5 are cut away down to the shifting point extremity 12. The body of `the shifting point also has a groove 10' extending from 13 to 14, and this groove is varied in accordance with the knitting machine with which the shiftingpoints cooperate. The construction of the shifting points 5, andtheir manner of use in producing a different lock stitch formation than that here involved, comprises the subject matter'of my said two patents Nos. 1,891,117 and 1,897,917.

' The different procedure followed in utilizing the shifting points 5, to produce'the lock stitches 4 of Figs. l, 3 and 4, so as'to effect the formation of the lock stitch courses L, will become clear by referring to the upper shown) of the needle, while the upper end of the beard 15 of the needle 1 moves into the upper grooved portion Y 9 ofthe shifting point 5, thereby closing the beard. The

needles 1 and points 5 are then moved down together, but the point bar is moved at a slower rate than the needle bar, so that the beards of the needles 1 will spring open and the tips of the needle beards will pass on the outside of theloops 2 and the tips of the points 5 will slide under the loops. The descending movements of the needle and point barsk is then continuedlin unison until the loops (which are held stationary on the needles) are engaged higher on the points 5 and farther under the beards of the needles. The needle bar is then moved backwards so that the needles 1 move away from the points 5, and

Y thenvboth the needle and point bars are moved upwardly until the points 5 are above the knockover bits of the Vknitting machine.Y The needle baris then brought to a standstill and the pointbar is moved laterally to the left until the points 5 have been moved a distance of two needles (Fig. 4). At the end of said lateral movement interconnected with the lower portion of a plain needle Y stitch 2, as clearly shown. Y V

From the preceding description of operationY of the shifting points 5, in producing the lock loops 4 of the fabric sections shown in Figs. l, 3 and 4, and comparison of said iigures with Figs. 2, 5 and 6 of the drawings, it will be clear that the lock loops 4 shown in theV latter three gures are produced in substantially the same manner, i. e., by operating the shifting points 5 as already described, but moving them to the left an additional distance of one needle. Both legs of the lock stitches 4 will then extend across the two plain loops 2, formed between the needle Wale of origin of the lock loops 4 and the needle Wale where the bight portion 4a of each lock loop 4 i5 joined with the lower portion ofa plain loop 2 of the next succeeding plain loop course P knitted. Y

If desired, other shifting points may be utilizedthat have the left side wall cut away, Yas shown'in my said Patent 1,897,817, insteadof the right side wall as shown` in the drawings hereof, and the mechanism for operating Y which span four needle wales, as shown in Figs. 2, 5V

and 6, runners developing in any particular plainloop needle wale will be'stopped at one of three locking courses.

L, when the lock loops 4 thereof are arranged in the staggered relation shown in said Figs. 2, 5 and 6. Y

Fig. 7 shows a full-fashioned Vstocking of the type Worn by girls or ladies. Such a stocking comprises a welt-section W, a leg section L,Yand a foot section F, In accordance with the practice heretofore followed in producing non-run hosiery, such a stocking may be produced on a full-fashioned hosiery knitting machine so as to include the staggered lock stitch formation of'my invention throughout theentire stocking fabric, byutilizing the means and following the method above described,V Ifdesired, only the welt section W, or some other section, or part of the stocking, may be so provided with the staggered lock stitch formation of my invention, or theV latter may be similarly incorporated in knitted vfabrics for producing other articles of wearing apparel.

It is to be particularly noted that the knitted nonrrun fabric of my invention has certain unique qualities and characteristics.

with the opposite end of the nextvadjacent lock loop, the formation of lace-like openings inV the fabric is This feature is highly desirable and important, 'because For example, since the Vbight portion 4 f of each lock loop 4 is arranged in overlapping relation s Y the lace-like appearance of non-run hosiery is usually considered to be objectionable from the standpoint of the users and purchasers of the nner grades of silk or nylon hosiery. Then too, the overlapping arrangement of the lock loops provides a stronger and more durable non-run fabric structure.

ln the specication and claims the phrase horizontal is intended to refer to the coursewise extending legs 4 as shown in Fig. l, Which are elongated across or span a plurality of needle Wales. These horizontally extending legs are also referred to as coursewise extending legs.

Of course, the improvements specifically shown and described, can be changed and modified in various Ways Without departing from the invention herein disclosed, the scope of Which is more particularly indicated by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

l. A knitted non-run fabric section, said fabric having laterally extending horizontal courses devoid of lock loops and also having between said courses devoid of lock loops laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses, With both legs of each lock loop oatingly extending coursewise across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop, and comprising elongated lock loops both legs of each of Which lock loops extend coursewise from their needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

2. A knitted non-run fabric section, said fabric having laterally extending horizontal courses devoid of lock loops and also having between said courses devoid of lock loops laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses, With both legs of each lock loop oatingly extending courseWise across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop, and comprising elongated lock loops both legs of each of which lock loops extend coursewise along the rear of the fabric from their needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

3. A knitted non-run fabric section, said fabric hav ing laterally extending horizontal courses devoid of lock loops and also having between said courses devoid of lock loops laterally extending horizontal lock loops courses, With both legs of each lock loop oatingly extending coursewise across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop, and comprising elongated lock loops both legs of each of Which lock loops extend coursewise from their needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of the loops of two adjacent needle Wales.

4. A knitted non-run fabric section comprising one or more plain loop courses arranged in intermediate relation With courses provided With elongated lock loops, the lock loops being arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric section and each of said lock loops having both legs extending coursewise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

5. A knitted non-run hosiery fabric section comprising one or more plain loop courses arranged in intermediate relation With courses provided With elongated lock loops, the lock loops being arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric section and each of said lock loops having both legs iloatingly extending coursewise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

6. A knitted non-run hosiery fabric comprising one or more plain loop courses arranged in intermediate relation With courses provided With elongated lock loops, the lock loops being arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric at the rear thereof and each of said lock loops having both legs oatingly extending coursewise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock'loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

7. A knitted non-run fabric section comprising courses provided With plain loops and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop oatingly extend coursewise from their Wale of origin across the legs of at least one adjacent plain loop, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

8. A knitted non-run fabric section comprising courses yprovided With plain loops and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop extend laterally from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale and the bight portion of each lock loop is joined With the next lock loop by a plain needle loop of the succeeding course at the needle Wale of origin of said next lock loop.

9. A knitted non-run fabric section comprising courses provided With plain loops and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop extend laterally from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of two adjacent needle Wales and the bight portion of each lock loop is joined With the next lock loop by a plain needle loop of the succeeding course at the needle Wale of origin of said next loop.

10. A stocking including a knitted non-run fabric section comprising elongated lock loops both legs of each of Which lock loops extend coursewise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

ll. A stocking including a knitted non-run fabric section comprising coursewise extending elongated lock loops arranged to span at least three successive needle Wales in the same course, said lock loops being restricted to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each other lock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop extending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

l2. A stocking including a knitted non-run fabric section comprising one or more plain loop courses ar ranged in intermediate relation With courses provided With elongated lock loops, the lock loops being arranged in staggered relation throughout the fabric section and each of said lock loops having bothrlegs oatingly extending coursewise from their needle Wale of origin across the legs of a loop of at least oneadjacent needle Wale, said lock loops beingrestricted `to and all being located in and forming laterally extending horizontal lock loop courses and each lock loop course being separated from each Yo'tlrerlock loop course by at least one horizontal plain loop course and both legs of each lock loop'ex- Vtending from its needle Wale of origin horizontally across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale.

' 13. A stocking including a knitted non-run fabric sec tion comprising courses each provided With plain loops l and elongated lock loops so arranged that both legs of each lock loop extend laterally from theirneedle Wale of origin across the legs of at least one plain loop and the bght portion of each lock loop is joined With the next lock loop by a plain needle loop of the succeeding course at the needle Wale of origin of said next lock loop. f VVV14. A knitted non-run fabric construction, devoid of Ylace-like appearance, useful for hosiery and the like,

formed of alternating plain loop courses and laterally elongated lock loop courses, both legs of each lock loop extending horizontally and laterally from its needle Wale of origin across the legs of at least one plain loop of at least one adjacent needle Wale and the bight portion of each lock loop Vbeing joined with the nextlock loop of the course by a plain needle loop of the succeeding course at the needle Wale of origin of said next lock loop.Y

15. The fabric construction of claim 14 in whichY the horizontally and laterally extending legs of the lock loops are positionedV to the rear of and float upon the vertical legs of the adjacent loops in said lock loop course.

Y16. The'fabric construction'of claim 15 in Which each lock loop course is formed of at least two plain loops for each locking loop. Y

' References Cited inthe iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 898,985 McNarneeV Sept. 15,V 1908 1,852,936 Nebel Apr. 5, 1932 1,897,917 Stevenson l .l Feb. 14,1933 2,139,607 Schwartz l Dec. 6, 1938Y 2,209,633 l Mendelsohn et al. July 30, 1940 2,233,112 Sheeler Feb. 25, 1941 p 2,236,248 Moyer Mar. 25, 1941 p 2,270,853 Sheeler Ian. 27, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 145,088 Great Britain May 19, 1921 332,302 Germany Ian. 27, 1921 

